18 November 2015
DOHA: The United Kingdom is the prime investment destination of Qatari businesses, said Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen's Association (QBA), in a meeting yesterday with the UK Trade and Investment Managing Director, Michael Boyd.
"The UK has been and still is, a prime destination for Qatari investors," said Sheikh Faisal, adding: "We are ready to cooperate with the UK Investment Authority to enhance bilateral investments."
He also highlighted the importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries that go back in history and go beyond the trade partnership to cover the cultural and educational fields.
It is worth mentioning that the trade exchange between the two countries has increased to $5.3bn. Qatar's exports to Britain accounting for $4.5bn, mostly in the energy and gas sector, which represents 98 percent of Qatar's exports to Britain, and the value of British goods exported to Qatar reached about $2bn.
With regard to the services sector, the UK is working in this sector for more than five years in Qatar, especially in the banking and financial advisory, insurance and other service sectors; amounted to more than $500m.
Boyd and his accompanying delegation from the UK Embassy in Doha was welcomed at a lunch hosted by QBA. Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Al Thani, QBA board member, Sherida Al Kaaby, QBA board member and many other distinguished guests also attended the meeting.
"I was delighted to visit Qatar and meet with the QBA members today. A positive discussion was about our Qatar-UK relationship and how we can strengthen this partnership moving forwards. The UK continues to be open for business and welcomes foreign investment from Qatar and we are proud to be the number one destination for foreign direct investment in Europe," Boyd added.
"I look forward to visiting again soon to build on this excellent first meeting."
Both sides also discussed the taxation system imposed on investors and owners of real estate properties in the UK.
They also went through some of the obstacles they face in investing in the UK and possible ways of resolving them, while the UK side expressed their readiness to discuss and tackle those issues and the willingness of the Authorities to simplify and study any regulations that complicate or stand in the way of attracting more investments in the UK.
In this context it was agreed to organise a seminar for Qatari investors to explain the taxation system in the UK, the calculation of taxes as well as the legislative infrastructure for foreign investment, and also to display potential investment opportunities.
DOHA: The United Kingdom is the prime investment destination of Qatari businesses, said Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen's Association (QBA), in a meeting yesterday with the UK Trade and Investment Managing Director, Michael Boyd.
"The UK has been and still is, a prime destination for Qatari investors," said Sheikh Faisal, adding: "We are ready to cooperate with the UK Investment Authority to enhance bilateral investments."
He also highlighted the importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries that go back in history and go beyond the trade partnership to cover the cultural and educational fields.
It is worth mentioning that the trade exchange between the two countries has increased to $5.3bn. Qatar's exports to Britain accounting for $4.5bn, mostly in the energy and gas sector, which represents 98 percent of Qatar's exports to Britain, and the value of British goods exported to Qatar reached about $2bn.
With regard to the services sector, the UK is working in this sector for more than five years in Qatar, especially in the banking and financial advisory, insurance and other service sectors; amounted to more than $500m.
Boyd and his accompanying delegation from the UK Embassy in Doha was welcomed at a lunch hosted by QBA. Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Al Thani, QBA board member, Sherida Al Kaaby, QBA board member and many other distinguished guests also attended the meeting.
"I was delighted to visit Qatar and meet with the QBA members today. A positive discussion was about our Qatar-UK relationship and how we can strengthen this partnership moving forwards. The UK continues to be open for business and welcomes foreign investment from Qatar and we are proud to be the number one destination for foreign direct investment in Europe," Boyd added.
"I look forward to visiting again soon to build on this excellent first meeting."
Both sides also discussed the taxation system imposed on investors and owners of real estate properties in the UK.
They also went through some of the obstacles they face in investing in the UK and possible ways of resolving them, while the UK side expressed their readiness to discuss and tackle those issues and the willingness of the Authorities to simplify and study any regulations that complicate or stand in the way of attracting more investments in the UK.
In this context it was agreed to organise a seminar for Qatari investors to explain the taxation system in the UK, the calculation of taxes as well as the legislative infrastructure for foreign investment, and also to display potential investment opportunities.
© The Peninsula 2015
